Have you ever seen fashion shows where models wear different clothes and walk on the stage with a certain pose and show off the clothes? This event is called catwalk. When a brand or fashion designer wants to introduce his new design and style, he does it with the help of models on the catwalk stage. If you like to know the history and details of the catwalk, don't miss this article.
What is a catwalk?
The word “Catwalk” comes from the Norse word “Katr” which means cat, and also borrows from the word “valkyrja” meaning “chooser of the dead”.
In Norse mythology, Valkyries were saints who decided which warriors would die in battle and which would live. Then the souls of the dead were taken to a heavenly place called “Walaha” so that they could spend their eternity fighting or feasting. Regarding fashion, we must say that the word “catwalk” was first used by the English in the 19th century. This word originally referred to a platform or narrow suspension bridges on which circus actors walked and theater actors performed stunts on it. It should be noted that the first time this word was used in the concept of fashion was in 1876. Although catwalk has different meanings in the dictionary, when people hear this term, they imagine fashion scenes in their mind.
The concept of catwalk in the fashion industry
However, a catwalk basically means a narrow path that a cat can walk through. Another name for the catwalk is “cat face”. A catwalk in the fashion world is called a bridge stage like a T-shape or I-shape in fashion shows. But what connects this stage to the catwalk are the models who walk on it and show the clothes or whatever is going to be introduced to the people sitting on both sides of this platform and below it. The way they walk is that after entering the stage, they walk from the beginning to the end, then pose in front of the photographers and then return the same way.
Some important factors in holding a catwalk
Catwalk is a very important trend for designers and brands; Because in this way they introduce their designs to the whole world. This ceremony is so important and amazing that even the advancement of technology cannot overcome it. Every catwalk event has huge costs for the organizer; But the effect of this ceremony is so great that no designer or brand can ignore it. The important factors that affect the catwalk are: the walking style of the models, lighting and music, which we will examine in detail after reviewing the history.
The reason for choosing the name Catwalk
As you know, cats walk very calmly and cross their arms and legs as they walk. The reason for choosing the name Catwalk is also related to this issue; Because a model should walk on the fashion show stage in this way to have a greater impact on the audience. Of course, it is obvious that all these concepts have been formed and evolved throughout history. The concept of catwalk is no exception to this rule; Because many backgrounds have happened for the catwalk to reach the concept we are facing today. Note that many important elements are important in holding a catwalk.
Check out the history of the catwalk
Beginning in the 19th century
For fashion lovers, the catwalk is an important and exciting event; But it might be more exciting to know when and how this event started. Therefore, we want to take a detailed look at the history of the catwalk. According to the researches and studies of Mrs. Maria Costantino, a lecturer of cultural and historical studies at the School of Fashion, University of London, most fashion historians consider “Charles Frederick Worth” to be the first innovator in the direction of taking help from models. This is related to the year 1860. When Charles hired some young women to introduce his designs to the public.
In those years, customers would go to a designer's house to see his new designs; But Charles changed this method and introduced his collection in his atelier. Charles' collection consisted of 17 pieces. In fact, he was the first designer to abandon mock-ups and mannequins and use live models to illustrate his designs. One of those models was his wife Marie-Augustine Vernet. Some fashion historians believe that Charles's wife is actually the first female model in the history of the fashion industry. After that, modeling and catwalk was born. It was a major breakthrough in the fashion industry and changed the relationship between the designer, the tailor and the customer.
Catwalk in the 20th century
Until then, fashion designers directly introduced their designs to their customers; But this happened completely changed when in 1901, another English designer named “Lady Duff Garden” held a show that we can consider as the first catwalk in the history of the fashion industry.
Lady Duff Gordon, for the first time, arranged a program where the models on the stage while entering the ceremony with a special pose, introduced her new collection to the guests present in this program along with light, music and other things. Of course, according to the sources, models did not walk in this program. After entering, they would stand on the stage or platform for the audience to view the costumes. Lady Duff Gordon's program was, in the minds of audiences of the time, a theatrical innovation whose general program was presented to guests in the form of a printed paper. In fact, this program not only introduced the first fashion show in the form of an artistic and attractive performance, but also introduced the idea of showing fashion to a wider audience.
Interesting action by the Erich brothers
Also, some large stores in New York, such as “Erich Brothers” store, unveiled their clothes with the help of models in their stores. So that in a part of the store, the models were walking in a narrow path and the customers could see all the goods of the store. Of course, Erich brothers did this in other stores and other cities. For example, one of them was the Wanamakers store in Philadelphia. Also, the Erich brothers were the first to hold an event and ceremony related to fashion. Finally, this process of introduction and private catwalks continued from the beginning of the 20th century until 1920.
Holding the first fashion week in New York, associated with the concept of the catwalk in the 1940s
Since the first catwalk belongs to the country of France and the city of Paris, due to World War III, American fashion workers could not travel to France to visit the catwalks, so in 1943, the American fashion industry finally had to Stand on your feet for the first time and hold a fashion week. Elinor Lambert was responsible for holding this ceremony, who after many efforts was finally able to hold the first fashion week in New York. After holding this fashion week in New York, everything changed and seriously, this exclusivity reached the ears of people all over the world with the help of media and photographers. Until nearly two decades after this date, the catwalk styles were the same until the end of the Second World War and the end of the restrictions, a new date was set in the way of performing the catwalk and in the whole fashion events.
The beginning of the 1960s, the beginning of change and transformation in the concept of catwalk
As the decade began, the catwalk moved away from fixed spaces, salons, ateliers and retail stores. Following that, the designers thought of creating creativity in catwalk locations. For example, in 1965, Balmain presented his collection in a wine cellar; While Piercardin held his collection in an open space by the river Seine in Paris. All these differences meant that the catwalk had to match the space in which it was presented. Also, designers and brands reminded the audience in every presentation and every show that fashion shows should be updated at any moment so that the audience can witness creativity in this industry. Something that the concept of fashion is fundamentally related to.
Continued changes until the end of the 90s
After the changes of the 1960s, fashion designers introduced new concepts for holding the catwalk. For example, holding a catwalk on a platform where the model walks at a higher height than the guests. The most important catwalk changes in the 1970s and 1980s included the following:
1. If the catwalk was to be held in an open environment, ordinary people would no longer be able to watch the show for free and would have to buy a ticket.
2. The first to third rows of seats were reserved for important people. such as royal family members, artists, celebrities, and finally photographers and members of the media. Also, the presence of these people in the ceremony gave an identity to the ceremony and attracted the attention of important people to that ceremony.
3. Fashion shows and catwalks have progressed from smaller, private events to major international events. In this way, the fashion industry and the important things related to it have become a sure source of income and fantasy entertainment for people.
Reviewing the history of the catwalk in the 21st century
Obviously, the closer we get to recent years of catwalk history, the more progress and updates we see. For example, from the beginning of the 2000s until now, that is, during nearly 3 decades, designers and brands have added many new concepts and changes to the structure of the catwalk. Emanola Prandelli, who teaches fashion courses, says:
Today, no one wants to return to the era of traditional catwalks. Because in recent years, the method of designing and holding catwalks has been accompanied by vast changes. For example, in the past, catwalks were held with the aim of retailing or publishing images at the global level; But today it is no longer the case and as a result, there are fundamental differences between the traditional audiences of the past and the present.
General analysis of catwalks in recent years
Today, we see a large media event in catwalks, which has a much wider audience than the audience of traditional catwalks. Sites and virtual spaces provide this possibility. In other words, catwalks are the main sources of investment for brands and designers who are directly connected with buyers and consumers, and their number increases every season. For example, in the four important fashion weeks held in Paris, Milan, London and New York, each of the organizers made nearly 940 million dollars, which is 60% more than in previous years. This issue is also directly related to the models who participate in the catwalks.
Important rules in holding a catwalk
1. Choose a specific theme
Each brand or designer considers a special theme for the catwalk. This theme covers the entire dimensions of the catwalk and is the first visual attraction for the audience.
2. Model recruitment
Choosing and hiring a model is one of the most important factors affecting the catwalk. Catwalk models should look different from other models. For example, being tall and thin are two important components. In the following cases, a model must know all the etiquette of walking the catwalk and execute the program accordingly. Also, when he accepts the offer of cooperation with a brand or a designer, he is obliged to work only for that brand during the duration of his contract and is not allowed to participate in other catwalks. Keep in mind that the amount of income of each model varies according to experience, resume and reputation.
3. Creating the right space and atmosphere
To hold a catwalk, it is very important to pay attention to the space and make it suitable to the selected theme. For example, if the theme of the catwalk reflects a happy theme, the choice of music, lighting and even the design of the environment should also be related. Note that the choice of music is completely related to the topic that is going to be presented to the audience.
4. Invite guests
As we said, some of the guests are invited from among the famous celebrities and artists in every field for the prime position of the VIP seats. Also, the organizers design an invitation to the name of the special guests. These invitations are designed by professional graphic designers. The rest of the guests have to pay to attend the catwalk.
5. Observance of order behind the scenes of the catwalk
It is the precision and discipline of the backstage agents on the catwalk that determines the result of a good program. The speed of wearing clothes, doing or changing make-up and creating a relaxing atmosphere in the backstage space are especially important in holding a catwalk.
Finally, the catwalk is a work of art in the fashion industry that the agents take a lot of effort to achieve so that the result is pleasing to the audience and the agents.
last word
Catwalk is one of the most exciting events in the fashion industry, which has many fans around the world. In this article, we tried to examine all aspects related to the catwalk, such as its history and rules. Have you ever participated in a catwalk? Please share your experiences and opinions with us.
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